Europe (Washington Insider Magazine)— An estimated 360 million voters are set to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament for the next five years. The elections commence on Thursday in the Netherlands, with the other 26 member states following suit over the next three days. The results will be finalized on Sunday night, revealing the new parliamentary composition.
Context of the Elections
These elections take place during a period of significant instability for the EU recent years, the bloc has suffered several crises that have altered policy, questioned long-held beliefs, and heightened existential worries. The protracted crisis in Ukraine, the continent’s largest since World War II, has prompted increased defense investment and concerns about a potential Russian threat, particularly in Eastern Europe.
Economic Concerns Dominate
European voters are primarily concerned with economic issues such as high consumer prices, loss of purchasing power, rising social inequalities, and stagnant growth. These issues are consistently ranked as top priorities for the next parliamentary mandate. The impact of various crises on daily life remains a central concern for many Europeans.
Migration and Climate Change
The surge in asylum applications, reaching 1.14 million in 2023, pressures the EU’s new migration reforms to deliver rapid results. Simultaneously, the backlash against the Green Deal, seen in farmer protests, contrasts with the worsening effects of climate change. The hottest year on record in 2023 and reports indicating that the 1.5°C climate goal is slipping away highlight the urgency of environmental issues.
Competitiveness and Geopolitical Challenges
The EU’s competitiveness compared to the United States and China is under scrutiny, with calls for joint borrowing, business consolidation, and financial reform. Additional challenges include the Israel-Hamas conflict, demographic shifts indicating an aging workforce, rule of law concerns, threats of foreign interference, and recent political violence, such as the assassination attempt on Slovakia’s prime minister.
Rise of the Right
According to Euronews, this election cycle has experieneced a considerable increase in hard and far-right parties. France’s National Rally, Italy’s Brothers of Italy, the Netherlands’ Freedom Party, Belgium’s Flemish Interest, and Austria’s Freedom Party are all expected to expand their presence in Brussels. This tilt to the right may jeopardize the ambitious legislative initiatives of the last five years.
Internal Political Dynamics
The expulsion of Alternative for Germany (AfD) from the far-right Identity & Democracy group has exposed divisions among nationalist factions. Despite common stances on issues like the Green Deal and migration, disagreements on Ukraine, Russia, NATO, and China persist. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s role as a power broker and her potential influence on forming a broader nationalist group are being closely watched.
Impact on EU Leadership
Ursula von der Leyen, seeking a second term as President of the European Commission, has been courting Meloni’s support. This move risks alienating centrist parties essential for her reappointment. The European People’s Party (EPP) has also shifted closer to some extreme-right positions, causing friction with progressives who argue this normalizes reactionary policies and undermines the EU’s core principles.
Future of the EU Parliament
The traditional pro-European coalition is expected to keep its majority, but the EPP’s potential alliance with right-wing parties might upend this equilibrium. ensions have risen ahead of the elections, with rivals clashing and pointing fingers. Von der Leyen’s prospective confirmation hearing in September will be the new European Parliament’s first important test, and it is expected to be one of the most acrimonious in its history. As Europeans prepare to vote, the outcomes of these elections will shape the EU’s approach to addressing its numerous challenges in the coming years.
